Germano's presents a short opera about Julia Child

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Richard GorelickThe Baltimore Sun

Cabaret artist Jennifer Blades will reprise her role as Julia Child in Lee Hoiby's 18-minute opera "Bon Appetit" during an evening of dinner and opera at Germano's. In addition, Blades will portray Child in a new piece about Child's friendship with the chef Lidia Bastianich, who will be played by Alessandra Fabiani.

Written originally for Jean Stapleton, "Bon Appetit" has been described as "a comic culinary extravaganza."

The performances and menu for the evening were inspired by the 1993 PBS special, "Julia Child: Cooking With Master Chefs," in which Julia Child showcases Bastianich cooking pasta with broccoli rabe and sausage and risotto with porcini mushrooms.

"Julia Child Meets Lidia Bastianich" is held on Sunday at 6 p.m. at Germano's Cabaret, 300 S. High St. The cost is $39 and includes the performance and dinner, excluding tax, liquor and gratuity.